Jimmy Phillips signs new contract with Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers are pleased to confirm that Academy Manager Jimmy Phillips has put pen to paper on a new contract at Macron Stadium.

The 52-year-old, who has been at the forefront of the club’s youth set-up for a decade, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Whites with the deal.

This comes after Bolton Wanderers’ Academy was ranked top of the standings in terms of productivity out of the 72 EFL clubs and second out of all 92 EFL and Premier League sides.

Wanderers’ Under-23s and Under-18s sides also enjoyed ample success throughout 2017/18, with the former being crowned as national champions of the U23 Professional Development League.

Bolton-born Phillips’ affiliation with the Trotters meanwhile began when the former defender was a youngster, with him coming up through the ranks at Burnden Park.

He made his debut for his hometown club in 1983 and enjoyed two separate spells with Wanderers between 1983-1987 and 1993-2001, earning himself a testimonial fixture against Celtic in August 1998 in the process.

Since re-joining in a coaching capacity meanwhile, Phillips has also taken charge of first team affairs on two occasions in 2012 and 2016 when acting as caretaker and interim manager respectively.

And speaking following confirmation of his new deal with the club, Phillips said, "I am delighted to agree a new deal with the club in order to lead the Academy into the coming season and continue the excellent development of its players and staff.

"My main focus will be to accelerate the development of the U23 and U18 players and build upon the success they shared last season."

Chairman Ken Anderson also added: “We are delighted that Jimmy has signed a new contract with Bolton Wanderers.

"He and his staff have put in an incredible amount of work at the Academy over the course of the past few years and that ultimately culminated in the successes of our Under-23 and Under-18s sides last season.

"He is a member of staff who is very much part of the fabric of the football club and with his knowledge and expertise, he will continue to play an extremely influential part of the development of our young players in the years to come."